Braden River high school seniors Gina Lovelace, Syndey Brummett and Suchir Patel stood in line talking to each other with their caps and gowns in hand.
They were waiting to enter the LECOM Park field July 28 to finally have their graduation, which was originally scheduled for May but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It feels like it’s finalized,” Brummett said. “It hasn’t felt like high school is over. We finally have the conclusion we’ve been waiting for.”
Out of Braden River's about 450 graduates, 390 of them crossed the baseball diamond with their diplomas in hand as their families sat in the stands cheering for them while practicing social distancing.
“The hype of graduation has definitely died down, but I’m happy we were able to get something to celebrate our accomplishments,” Lovelace said.Â
Michael Gagnon and Patrick Gajowczyk prepare to enter the baseball stadium for their graduation ceremony.
Braden River High School hosts its graduation ceremony at LECOM Park to allow for social distancing.
Mary Kate Nolan and Kate Nixon are excited to finally be graduating after their graduation ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19.
Graduates line up for the ceremony.
Christian Solorzano, Jordyn Collis and Isabella Macias are the student speakers at Braden River High School's graduation.
Sharon Scarbrough, principal of Braden River High School, welcomes graduates, faculty, staff and families to the high school's Class of 2020 graduation.
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, waves to families at Braden River High School's graduation ceremony.
Christian Solorzano, Braden River High School's senior class president, thanks his classmates for the memories they've made over the years.
Penelope Sugg makes her way across the baseball diamond with her diploma.
Aaron Patmor and Jovany Perez move their tassels from the right to the left signifying their graduation from Braden River High School.
Tess Zambella celebrates her graduation with Sharon Scarbrough, principal of Braden River High School.
Elijah Bolle waves to his family in the stands.
Peter Proll congratulates his stepson James Fowler on his graduation with his mother, Amanda Miller. "It feels pretty good (to graduate) even though it was postponed," Fowler says.
Marco, Daniela and Charisti Madrid celebrate Daniela Madrid's graduation. "We are incredibly proud of her," Charisti Madrid says.
Victoria Garcia and Vivianna Garcia get in line for their graduation ceremony. "I thought (graduation) was never going to happen," Vivianna Garcia says.
Jordyn Collis, Isabella Macias and Christian Solorzano will give speeches during the ceremony.
Amber Norland and Sophia Nole are excited to get their diplomas.
Devin Nichols and Carter Nichols feel great about finally graduating from Braden River High School.
Graduates walk around the baseball field.
Graduates line up in preparation to receive their diplomas.
School board member the Rev. James Golden waves to the crowd of families at Braden River High School's graduation.
Isabella Macias references space in her graduation speech because of her love for space. She hopes to become an astrophysicist.
Jordyn Collis gives her graduation speech reminding the Class of 2020 of their accomplishments and ability to overcome challenges like the pandemic.
Sydney Brummett shows off her diploma.
Anna Dong holds onto her mask while having her photo taken with her diploma.
Khushbu Patel excitedly accepts her diploma.
Sharon Scarbrough, principal of Braden River High School, chats with graduate Aiden Smith.
Graduates continue to cross the baseball diamond while Madigan Wilford gets her photo taken with her diploma.
Brendan Caruso and Kayla Banks move their tassel from the right to the left signifying their graduation.
Juan Brito makes his way across the baseball field.
Chloe Carnegie walks across the field with her diploma.
